Many would argue it’s one of Canada’s greatest inventions. The caesar is a unique tomato-clam juice based cocktail that nearly every Canadian has a soft spot for. First created in Calgary in 1969, it is the perfect salty and sour drink that’s great at any time of day— especially with brunch. It was reported that a total of about 418,947,000 caesars were consumed throughout Canada in 2016, proving just how popular this delicious drink is throughout the great white north.
Making a basic caesar is simple:
- Line the rim of your cup with lime juice and celery salt
- Add 1 1/4 oz vodka of your choice
- Add 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- Add 3 dashes hot sauce
- Add 4oz Clomato juice
- Add salt and pepper to taste
- If you’re searching for more spice, add horseradish to taste
Where caesars get interesting is in their garnishes. Adding different garnishes allows you to customize the cocktail and makes indulging more fun. When it comes to caesars, the possibilities for garnishes are endless and are completely up to you. It’s one of the only cocktails you are able to get creative with while putting together without risking ruining the flavour of the drink itself.
Bacon
It’s extremely common (yet nonetheless delicious) to garnish your caesar with bacon. When doing so, cook your bacon on low until it is very crisp to render the fat properly. For a twist on this classic, drizzle maple syrup on the bacon prior to baking to make a delicious maple-bacon garnish.
Lobster Tail
This is an extremely popular garnish throughout the East Coast. Drizzled with butter and lemon juice, adding a lobster tail compliments the Clamato juice nicely and turns this easy cocktail into a entirely different, luxe experience.
Pickles
Adding pickles to your garnish skewer is a great crunchy addition, especially when alongside other toppings such as olives, celery and pickled beans. Whether you decide to add sweet pickles or garlic ones is completely up to you!
Mini Sliders
If you’re looking for a way to transform your cocktail into an entire meal, adding mini sliders to your garnish is the perfect option for you! If you’re really feeling ambitious, go ahead and top off your slider garnish with a couple of onion rings, you won’t regret it.
Pickled Asparagus
This is another great garnish-addition, especially when paired with any cured meats, olives, or beans.
Shrimps or Scallops
If adding a lobster tail to your cocktail isn’t for you, try adding skewered shrimps and scallops to your ceasar for a true east coast experience.
Freshly Shucked Oysters
As many of us know, oysters get their flavour from their environments. Meaning, when you pair an oyster with a delicious tomato-clam cocktail that’s salty and a little spicy, your oyster will be equally as delicious.
Devilled Eggs
Devilled eggs have gained a certain reputation as being a food only served while visiting your grandma’s house, when in fact they make a really good ceaser garnish. Adding to pickled asparagus, pickled beans or cured meats to your devilled egg garnish is a quick way to re-vamp your classic cocktail.
Photo of Andaz Copper and Spirits via @pants613
By Julia Solimine
